2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a mid-sized luxury crossover, boasted a refined, sophisticated aesthetic, rooted in its storied Swedish heritage. Although no longer purely Swedish since it was acquired by Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group in 2010, Volvo retained its elegant and minimalist design ethos. The XC60, sitting comfortably between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90 in the lineup, employed Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform. This architecture, shared with other Volvo 60-series and 90-series vehicles, nurtured a cohesive design language.

The XC60 exhibited a muscular and athletic profile, with short front and rear overhangs and crisply defined lines enhancing its agile stance. The upright grille, adorned with Volvo’s iconic iron mark logo, and the Thor’s hammer LED daytime running lights, underscored its Nordic roots. The paint, chrome, and trim were meticulously executed, complemented by large alloy wheels up to 21 inches on higher trims.

Inside, the XC60 exuded a serene, almost zen-like Scandinavian environment. The interior was resplendent with clean lines, high-quality materials, and an overarching sense of tranquility. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, part of Volvo’s early adoption of this style, became easier to navigate over time, drawing inspiration from device interfaces familiar to many users. Other notable interior details included exquisitely designed HVAC vents with a seamlessly integrated control knob, adding to the upscale feel of the cabin.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid presented a contrasting narrative. Our test vehicle, a fully-loaded Limited trim, although priced at a premium $42,083, which was quite high for a RAV4, still projected a down-to-earth appearance. Despite its hefty tag, it resembled a rental car variant more than a luxurious crossover, chiefly due to its standard and somewhat bland 18-inch wheels.

However, the RAV4 did emanate a rugged charm, straddling the line between a cute compact utility vehicle (CUV) and a pseudo off-roader, especially with trim enhancements like the non-hybrid Adventure model. The interior was pragmatic and stylish, though occasional discrepancies in material quality revealed its non-luxury roots. While marked by generous use of hard plastics, the cabin layout was user-friendly, with oversized climate and stereo control knobs enhancing the functionality.

Under the hood, the 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a compelling array of powertrains, each built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The range started with the T5 model, offering front-wheel or all-wheel drive, generating 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque via a turbocharged setup. The T6 model ramped up the excitement with the addition of both supercharging and turbocharging, producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, available exclusively with AWD.

The T8 model, integrating an 87-horsepower electric motor to the mix, amplified the power output to a combined 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The pièce de résistance was the T8 Polestar Engineered variant, tuning the output up to 415 horsepower while maintaining the same torque. As a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), T8 models could drive up to 19 miles purely on electric power, seamlessly transitioning between electric and hybrid operation for optimized performance and efficiency. Our test XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered glided gracefully on roads, steering nimbly around corners with the aid of torque vectoring and AWD, while its serene cabin and refined suspension ironed out the bumps, proving ideal for long-distance travels.

Fuel economy figures varied from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD, to an impressive 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, and an effective 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was a recommended fuel for all XC60 models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, in contrast, harnessed a different kind of hybrid synergy. It paired a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, standardizing an AWD setup. Combined, these components generated a commendable 219 horsepower, surpassing the standard RAV4 engine by 16 horsepower but lagging 83 horsepower behind the plug-in RAV4 Prime.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s front electric motor supplied 149 pound-feet of torque while the rear motor contributed 89 pound-feet, complemented by versatile driving modes - Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. Its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) operated seamlessly, devoid of the typical CVT drone, and its regenerative braking system performed flawlessly.

Despite the occasionally harsh engine note at high revs, the RAV4 Hybrid felt peppy due to the electric-motor torque, and its steering was pleasantly responsive. However, the P225/60R18 Michelin Primacy all-season tires limited its grip, resulting in notable understeer during spirited driving. Fuel efficiency was a strong suit, with EPA ratings suggesting 40 mpg in combined driving and averaging 39.7 mpg in real-world tests. The RAV4 Hybrid maintained composure on most road surfaces, and the Trail mode complemented its 8.1 inches of ground clearance for mild off-road excursions.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 impressed with its meticulous design aimed at ensuring comfort, safety, and ease of use. Volvo’s reputation for superior seat comfort was well-earned, especially in the front row, where adjustability catered to varying preferences. During the winter testing period, the XC60’s heating system stood out, effectively countering the harsh Michigan winters.

The XC60’s interior was not just aesthetic but practical. Ample storage solutions were strategically placed throughout the cabin, including in the center console, dashboard, and door panels. The second row catered well to passengers with intuitive and user-friendly controls. Cargo capacity of the XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to a substantial 63.6 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down. It also had a decent towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, making it versatile for various needs.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid excelled in offering everyday practicality. Our test vehicle featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear legroom was adequate, and the slightly reclined backrest and excellent foot space enhanced passenger comfort, although the seat height felt low for some occupants.

Toyota designed a clear and legible instrument cluster, though the changing colors and graphics according to drive modes were slightly overdone. The dashboard layout was logical, with oversized climate control and stereo knobs covered in rubber for a better grip. The RAV4 Hybrid stood out in terms of storage, with useful shelves, bottle holders, and seatback pockets throughout the cabin. Cargo capacity was notably larger than the XC60, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down, though some areas like the subwoofer took up valuable space.

The 2021 Volvo XC60’s technological centerpiece was its Sensus infotainment system. The system, characterized by a tablet-style interface, elicited mixed reactions from users depending on their comfort with tech gestures like swiping and pinching. The portrait orientation of the Sensus screen allowed easy access to segmented functions for audio, navigation, vehicle settings, and communications. However, it required a learning curve and could be distracting if not mastered before driving.

Key technological features included seamless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot with a three-month trial, and Volvo’s On Call app for vehicle-specific functions. Our test vehicle’s Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system was another highlight, delivering exceptional sound quality and aesthetic appeal.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered varied infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM radio with a trial period. The higher-end system in our test vehicle included an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation with three years of free updates, and a suite of connected services like Safety Connect and WiFi Connect.

The infotainment screen, positioned like a tablet, provided easy navigation through primary functions via flanking shortcut buttons and anchored stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition was quick and accurate, although it couldn’t manage climate settings. Toyota also enhanced the RAV4 Hybrid’s technology offering with a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror, adding value to daily driving.

Volvo’s legacy of prioritizing safety was evident in the 2021 XC60. The SUV came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features aligning with Volvo’s Vision 2020 philosophy. In crash tests, it earned the prestigious IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for certain models.

The safety arsenal included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring with steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, collision avoidance, cyclist and large animal detection, driver alert control, lane-departure warning, and numerous airbag systems. Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system, which integrated adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, offered hands-on driving support, enhancing safety in various driving conditions. Another unique safety aspect was the governed top speed of 112 mph for all XC60 models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, meanwhile, offered a robust standard safety suite known as Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0). It included features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features on higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear automatic braking.

While adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems were effective in less congested scenarios, they were sometimes inconsistent in heavier traffic. The RAV4 Hybrid earned an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, though its headlights varied in rating depending on the trim.